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• 9 Top Social Media E-Commerce Trends to Leverage in 2021
• 25+ Free Abstract PowerPoint Templates With Great PPT Backgrounds 2021
• 25 Best Annual Report Template Designs (For 2021 Financial Year End)
• 25+ Best WordPress Magazine Themes for Blog and News Websites in 2021
• How to Write in the Sand in Adobe Photoshop

9 Top Social Media E-Commerce Trends to Leverage in 2021 Posted: 07 Jun 2021 06:35 AM PDT What is social commerce? Why is a social commerce strategy important for your business? Social media and commerce can go hand in hand, in a very rewarding way.   Check out these social commerce trends for your e-commerce and social commerce strategies. (Image source: Envato Elements) Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to e-commerce, social commerce, and social media? If you're looking for an easy-to-use shortcut, check out Ecwid. It's beginner-friendly but packed with features (and it's free to jump right in!). Build your own online store with no coding required. Plus, it integrates with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and more.  Start your online shop today and start selling on Facebook, Instagram, and more with Ecwid. In this article, we'll take a look at social commerce vs e-commerce. And we'll discuss some social commerce trends you should consider for your online business. What Is Social Commerce? So, what is social commerce anyway? Social commerce is all about conducting your online business via social media channels. It's business conducted on social media. Having a page on Facebook where users can directly buy products is an example of social commerce. It's all taking place in a connected way with the social media platform. Social media is an amazing tool for connecting with your audience, but you can use it for sales too. (Image source: Envato Elements) There are a lot of different ways you could conduct business via social media. Here are just a few examples: You could entice buyers on Instagram and take orders via DM. You could use Instagram shoppable posts to tag your products and allow users to buy your items right there, seamlessly in the platform. You could accept orders via email, messages, provide direct invoices, direct people to a specific link, and more.  The Difference Between Social Commerce and E-Commerce Then what about Social Commerce vs e-commerce? Are they the same thing? While they both involve the internet, there's a difference between social commerce and e-commerce. Consider them siblings, or even partners, but not necessarily identical. Social commerce vs e-commerce: they're similar but they've got their differences. (Image source:  Envato Elements. Social commerce involves social media driven sales. Looking at social media, e-commerce definitely benefits from this kind of engagement. But e-commerce would involve an online marketplace like a store or specific app. Here's an example, to further clarify: Let's say we own our own hand made soap business. We share pictures of our product on social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. This is one of the ways we get our product out there, in front of our target audience. It's the basics of a strong e-commerce social media strategy: share and connect with your audience to increase sales and engagement. But let's say we've got an Instagram shoppable post, which is then promoted. Our user base sees the post, taps, and can easily make a purchase in a seamless way without even leaving the app. This would be social commerce. Similarly, you can buy things via Facebook shops.  Social commerce makes for simple, seamless sales on social media. (Image source: Envato Elements). e-commerce, on the other hand, would be a scenario like this: the user goes to our official online store where they browse and check out. There's some crossover here, but this difference matters. You might stumble upon terms like social media e-commerce because the two are sometimes intertwined. Users can find your online store via social media. Likewise, users can find your social media accounts via your online store or website. That's why it's helpful to see social media and e-commerce as complements to one another. They each have strengths and have the potential to strengthen one another. This might seem a little overwhelming. How do you get started selling in your own online store, Instagram, Facebook, and even other platforms? That's where platforms like Ecwid are a huge help. It makes integration with social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook a breeze. Easily start selling on platforms like Facebook with an e-commerce platform like Ecwid. Take some time to research what platforms can help you with your social media and e-commerce goals. Having a platform like Ecwid on your side can really help with integration and social commerce. 9 Social Commerce Trends and Tips You Should Know About Check out these social commerce strategies to try for your online business venture. (Image source: Envato Elements) Want to dig into social commerce? Check out these nine social commerce trends that you can use in your e-commerce and social media strategy: 1. Create Share Worthy Content to Inspire and Admire We want to entice potential customers in a way that doesn't seem needy (and definitely not annoying or bothersome). But how do we get our products in front of an audience without pushing it in a way that annoys them? The answer is to create relevant content with an appealing aesthetic. For example, if you're selling clothing, share photos of the articles you plan to sell. Present them in visually engaging and enticing ways that your customers will want to like and share. Compare a simple photo of a dress to a photo of the same dress being worn out and about in an exciting atmosphere. One would have more mood and excitement. You could purposely key into an aesthetic that appeals to your audience. If your brand becomes a source of clothing and outfit ideas, you've got a means of continually engaging customers. Create inspiring, share worthy content for your social media channels. (Image source: Envato Elements)  You can also push this further by adding relevant, timely content when showing off your products. For example, if there's a holiday coming up, share photos of your products and associate them with things like gifting. You can share the same product more than once if you do so in creative, relevant, and imaginative ways that resonate. 2. Create a Seamless Shopping Experience  Social commerce has the potential to make for really seamless shopping experiences. For example, a user sees something that interests them on Facebook—and they can tap and buy, right there on Facebook. Instagram shoppable posts are similar. Instead of tagging a person, tag a product, and allow users to tap and buy. The goal with seamless shopping is to make the experience as easy as possible for the consumer. If a potential buyer has confusing steps to take to check out or gets lost along the way, that could be a lost sale. It should be simple and quick to make a purchase. Take these ideas and apply them to any platform, even if you switch it to an e-commerce point of view. Make sure browsing, viewing, and checking out is a simple, straightforward, accessible process.  Keep shopping seamless and simple on your online platforms. (Image source: Envato Elements)  Curious about getting started with Facebook shopping, Instagram shoppable posts, and other social and e-commerce platforms? Remember, there are platforms out there to help you out. If you're looking to give it a test run, for free, Ecwid is a great choice. Manage your shop, products, and sell on social platforms with a tool like Ecwid. 3. Network and Connect with Micro-Influencers Most of us are familiar with influencers—brands, creators, and individuals on the Internet with a very large following—but what about micro-influencers? Micro-influencers are like influencers but tend to have a smaller following and/or a more niche following. Imagine a content creator with 10,000 followers on Instagram. That's a lot of people following this micro-influencer's content. It might not be the same as a celebrity's one million follower count. But that number of followers can still be a very valuable and engaged audience. This is especially true if the micro-influencer has authority and experience within their niche.  Consider networking with micro-influencers. (Image source: Envato Elements). As a business, you can try to connect with micro-influencers in a variety of ways. For example, you could offer products in exchange for a fair review. Reach out about sponsored postings or videos. You could also ask about collaboration. This can be a really fun way for both parties to benefit and network with each other.  4. Incentivize and Encourage Interactivity and Engagement Social media is just that: it's a social experience! It's about more than sharing your content and waiting for things to happen. It's about engaging, interacting, and connecting with people. Think about content creators and brands that you've engaged with in the past. Why do you follow or engage with them?  Here are a few ideas that can help you attract and engage with your viewers, followers, and customers: Encourage customers to share a photo or video of their purchase. This is a great way to generate more content revolving around your business. It also means that anyone following that customer also gets exposed to your product. Post content that's designed to be interactive. Ask questions and create polls. Ask your viewers what they think. This doesn't always have to be business specific. Let's say you've got a jewelry business. Ask viewers to comment on what their go-to accessories are for the season.  Consider supplemental, share worthy content that isn't all about pushing product. Yes, you want to get your product out there—but think about your brand identity too. Informational content, quotes, insights, and behind the scenes content can help build interest and even trust.  Make your social media social. Engage with your audience in meaningful ways. Image source: (Envato Elements)  5. Use Both Consistency and Boundaries Consistency is important on social media, where things can move really quickly. You want your business to stay active and visible on social media, especially if you're investing in social commerce. Imagine stumbling upon an Instagram account that looks awesome but hasn't been updated in two months. It's not going to look exciting or enticing to buy. In fact, viewers might wonder if the shop is active anymore—because, as far as the Instagram feed is concerned, it isn't. Post actively on social media. Set a schedule for your social media channels and stick to it. It can be a strong idea to schedule posts, in advance, so you're always working and planning ahead of time. Make your social media interactions consistent and appropriate. (Image source: Envato Elements)  But be cautious about over doing it. Posting too much can actually be a detriment. Think about this in terms of a mailing list. Imagine receiving three, four, five emails a day. You'd probably get annoyed after a while. The same goes for social media. Be consistent, but don't overwhelm your audience with content.  6. Use Live Sales and Video to Boost Sales and Engagement Live video and live streaming have been an increasing trend in e-commerce. It's a great opportunity to connect with your audience, create a fun, engaging experience, and sell your products, all at the same time. Maybe your online store has some exclusive items that are only in this live sale—that's a great opportunity to create some hype. It's also a great idea to actually show your products in use—show them off! Live sales can also create added excitement and a sense of urgency, especially if you're selling something in limited quantities. It can even be a great place to announce news, like new product offerings. Consider live streaming and live sales as a part of your social commerce strategy. (Image source: Envato Elements)  Consider looking into services like Facebook Live, YouTube, and even webinar software. You'll need to make sure you've got a proper connection and the right equipment, but it can prove to be well worth the investment.  7. Make Your Social Commerce Strategy Connected Just like it's important with e-commerce, social media strategy needs to have a connected approach too. Try looking at your platforms as a members of the same family. In many cases you may not need to create unique content for each platform. For example, Instagram images can be sharable on Facebook and Pinterest. Encourage your user base to check out your business on other platforms. Decide which platforms will be the focus of your social commerce efforts and which ones will have more of a supporting role.  This is why using a platform like Ecwid can be so beneficial and time saving, as opposed to managing all that content on your own. With Ecwid you can easily manage you product catalog and your social commerce efforts in a much more organized and user friendly way. Easily sell your products on social media using a platform like Ecwid. Make sure it's easy to find your business across social media channels too. Your business name should be consistent, as should your user name. This is tricky, especially if your desired name isn't available on every platform. Even if there needs to be a slight deviation, make sure it's close to your user name elsewhere. Make sure all your online platforms support your commerce goals. (Image source: Envato Elements) 8. Double Check the Basics & Keep Them Consistent It's common for businesses to be active across several social media channels (besides their own, official website and/or online store). This makes sense. More platforms mean a wider audience. But keep your basics updated and connected. If URLs, names, dates, or other relevant content changes, update this on every platform. This also goes for visual components, like your profile picture or avatar. What if every social media channel your business is present on had a different profile picture. At first glance, it might be easy to think you're on the wrong page or that this is a different business. Keep your branding consistent. Remember to keep your online presence consistent, so it's easy to find your business. (Image source: Envato Elements)  9. Clearly Define Your Social Media and Commerce Success How do you define social commerce success or your success on social media? This goal may differ from business to business—and it should. Your social media efforts should be strategic and custom tailored to your specific goal. Success isn't a cookie cutter metric! If your goal with social commerce is to amass a following, then you know that's a metric to follow. If you're less concerned with follower count, perhaps your goal is to focus on income related metrics. You don't necessarily need a huge following to be financially successful. Think of it this way: imagine a huge following with low engagement, versus a small, close knit following with really high engagement.  Your goals and strategy can change and grow with time, much like your overall brand. Check out what other brands and businesses are doing. But use this information as inspiration, not a diehard blueprint to copy.  What does success look like, in your personalized business plans? (Image source: Envato Elements)  What Social and E-Commerce Social Media Strategy Is Right for Your Business? There are a lot of options out there when it comes to social media, social commerce, and e-commerce. The good news is: all these options mean a lot of flexibility and creativity for your brand. There's also a lot of great tools out there to help you manage and organize your online business efforts. Ecwid is a great example. Not only can it help you set up your own online store with no coding required. It can help you get set up and ready to go on social media and online platforms too! Ecwid is an easy to use solution for selling online on many different platforms. You can try out Ecwid today for free, so there's no risk to give it a look. Why not give it a try and see what Ecwid can do to help your e-commerce and social commerce efforts today? Good luck with your online business ventures!

25+ Free Abstract PowerPoint Templates With Great PPT Backgrounds 2021 Posted: 07 Jun 2021 05:55 AM PDT Do you regularly give presentations?  An abstract PowerPoint Background is a creative and versatile choice. In this article, we'll take a look at some abstract PowerPoint templates. Looking for abstract PowerPoint templates, free download files, and more? Then check out these resources. Circa - Abstract PowerPoint Template, a premium template from Envato Elements Don't waste your time designing from scratch. It's a risky business, and a lot can go wrong. Work smart and create your presentations using a pre-built abstract PPT template. Impress your audience.  This article lists 25 free to download abstract PowerPoint templates found online. We'll also explore premium abstract PPT templates from Envato Elements. There are also premium pre-built abstract PowerPoint background templates on GraphicRiver. Dive right in and find the best abstract templates for your needs! There's also plenty of abstract PowerPoint inspiration, if you're looking for ideas. Find the Best Premium Abstract PowerPoint Background Templates on Envato Elements (2021) Want to create an impressive and memorable presentation deck in minutes? Envato Elements is the best place to start this pursuit. There's so many abstract PPT templates to choose from By signing up for Envato Elements, you get access to a powerhouse of digital assets. This includes premium abstract PowerPoint presentation templates. Get it all for a minimal monthly subscription fee.  Download as many templates as you need as often as you need them. This membership is a marketing investment for your brand. You get unlimited access to thousands of premium, digital resources. This will take your business development and marketing initiatives to the next level. These creative digital assets are:  professional PPT and WordPress templates high-quality stock photos royalty-free music and videos creative graphic templates, fonts, and more Are you considering free to download templates for your next presentation? There are a few drawbacks when it comes to any free templates.  The main problem is that most free PPT templates have limited slide and feature options. This stunts creativity. You also risk having the same presentation desk as the next person. Find loads of premium customizable abstract PPT templates on Envato Elements. Create a great presentation using a professional abstract PPT template. Envato Elements is the best place to find one. Be it for personal or business use, it's got so much to offer for a low monthly fee. Download any creative asset when you need it and use it as many times as required. GraphicRiver is also an excellent option for premium pre-built abstract PowerPoint templates. You get to download templates one-at-a-time without a monthly commitment. We'll also go through this option in this article.   5 Best Premium Abstract PowerPoint Background Templates From Envato Elements for 2021 Curious about Envato Elements? Here are five best premium abstract PowerPoint presentation templates to download now: 1. Geometrics - Abstract Background PowerPoint Check out this abstract PowerPoint template. It comes with 30 unique slides that are easy to use and edit. The master slide layout includes light and dark versions. You'll get all the necessary sections needed for a professional business presentation. 2. Gresdie - Gradient PowerPoint Abstract Example This abstract PowerPoint background is a multipurpose template. It can be used by a creative agency or as a pitch deck. All elements like shapes and colors are editable on PowerPoint. No added software needed. This abstract presentation template comes with three premade color themes.  3. Annotation - Abstract PowerPoint Template Download Get your hands on 30 modern, elegant, creative, and useful slides. It also comes with five premade color themes that are sure to impress. This abstract PowerPoint annotation is easy to edit and customize. 4. Painting - Abstract Background PowerPoint This abstract background PPT template is unique and creative. But it's still very professional. Let your creativity shine in your personal or business presentation. Download this template and edit the content. Replace the images, change the color, and you're all set to present. This template includes animated slides and handcrafted infographics.  5.  Abstract Placeholders (abstract background PPT) These abstract placeholders come with 33 unique slides. There is also 12 color variations. This includes a light abstract background for PPT. Drag and drop images to customize them. All presentation slides in this abstract PPT include an animated slide and transitions.  Find Abstract PowerPoint Presentation Templates (Unlimited Downloads) Envato Elements is a fantastic bargain. Choose from thousands of premium design assets. This includes templates for your next abstract PowerPoint Presentation. If you're not ready to commit to a subscription, there's another option to. we've got a platform that lets you buy abstract PowerPoint templates one at a time. Read on to learn about GraphicRiver. 5 Best Premium Abstract PowerPoint Background Templates From GraphicRiver for 2021 Envato Market offers a pay-per-download model. It's great if you need premium abstract PowerPoint templates right now, without a subscription. Check out GraphicRiver. Download only what you need, like a specific abstract PPT template.  Here are five unique abstract PowerPoint templates that you can download now: 1. Brightness - Abstract PowerPoint Template Download If you're looking for a bright and cheerful abstract PowerPoint, this is it! Brightness comes with 64 multipurpose slides.  You also get to choose between dark and light background options. Handmade infographics are also included.  2. Qitcher - Color Geometry PowerPoint Abstract Example Qitcher is a multipurpose, unique abstract PowerPoint template. It's got a strong focus on typography and usability. It also includes excellent features like: unique device mockups predefined text styles editable charts world maps with separate areas unique portfolio slides vector-based icons media placeholders  3. Bruzz - Abstract Background PowerPoint Template Use this abstract PPT template for a variety of purposes. It comes with 36 slides that have editable graphics. This unique design will help you stand out. 4. Geo - Abstract PowerPoint Template Download This is a minimalistic black and white template. This abstract PowerPoint template comes with over 40 unique slides. They can be used for just about any purpose or industry. Showcase your content with this attractive and modern template. 5. Mixart - Abstract PowerPoint Presentation Template Mixart is a creative multipurpose presentation template. It contains 70 slides.  The background is solid deep-blue and has 10 different color schemes. It also comes with fully customizable infographics and icon packs. This abstract PowerPoint background can be used for any professional project. 25 Free Abstract PowerPoint Background Templates for Download in 2021 (From Around the Web) Premium abstract presentation templates are stylish and easy to work with. With so many options to pick from, you can use unique templates for all your presentations.  Premium templates are your best bet. But, if you're working on a tight budget, going premium may not be for you at this point. Here's a list of free abstract PowerPoint templates that you may find helpful. When looking for an abstract PowerPoint templates free download, your options may be limited. Be prepared to make extra edits. Many free downloads are also not free of copyright or usage restrictions. Before you dive into free abstract templates found online, check out Envato's free offerings. Try out various premium template files (not limited to abstract presentation templates) at no cost to you.  Here's the deal: Envato Elements offers 12 free files every month. This includes things like fonts, presentations, videos, and more. Create a free account to download this month's free premium files now. Envato Market offers seven handpicked monthly freebies. Log in with your Envato Market account to get this month's handpicked premium freebies.  Now, let's look at 25 free abstract PowerPoint background templates from around the web. These free abstract PowerPoint templates could be expanded upon in many ways. Check out these abstract PPT templates, free download files, and more. 1. Leaf - Abstract Free PowerPoint Templates (Abstract PPT)  This is an abstract PPT templates free download. It has a background of a leaf with veins in green. It gives a natural feel.   2. Professional - Abstract PPT Templates Free Download Check out this abstract background for PPT. It's got a versatile, abstract look. Try it for a variety of projects. 3. Curves - Free PowerPoint Abstract Example  Here is another abstract PPT templates free download. It has a simple design for any presentation. The aspect ratio is 16:9.  4. Abstract PPT Templates Free Download Here is a dark blue background with curved effects. It's simple and clean. If you're looking for abstract PPT templates, free download files like this could work well. 5. Orange - Abstract Free PowerPoint Template This download comes with an orange abstract background for PPT. It's a little different from the usual free template.  6. 3D Graphics - Free Abstract Presentation Template Here is a template with a blue background and some colorful abstract designs. It comes with three unique slides.  7. Coffee Crown - Free Abstract PowerPoint Template  This download has an abstract coffee design. It has coffee beans and lines on an orange background.   8. Circle - Abstract PPT Templates Free Download  If you're looking for abstract PPT templates, free download files this one are a great choice. It comes with three slides.    9. Black and Orange - Abstract Free PowerPoint Templates The orange on this template can be changed to blue or magenta. It comes in a 16:9 ratio.  10. Red Circles - Free PowerPoint Abstract Example This template was made for night events. Try it for parties, special celebrations, romantic, or other presentations. 11. Green Environmental - Abstract PPT Templates Free Download  Here is a free abstract PowerPoint template that is nature-inspired. This template can also be used in Google Slides too. 12. Tech - Free Abstract PowerPoint Background is linked to a technological styled font and gives a video game look and feel. There are abstract contour lines on a dark green background. 13. Wart - Tringle Pattern Abstract Presentation Templates  Check out this template. It has a nice compilation of bright colors: yellow, orange, and red.  14. Scribbles - Abstract Free PowerPoint Template Here is a template that is creative and fun. It uses abstract black and white scribbles on a yellow background.   15. Dynamic - Abstract PPT Templates Free Download This abstract PPT template free download has a dynamic design. The sloping shapes are interesting to look at. 16. Salisbury - Free Abstract Background PowerPoint Try out this clean and minimalistic design. It can also be used on Google Slides.  17. Creative Magic - Free Abstract PowerPoint Presentation Here is a download that comes with various abstract designs on the slides. It can get a little messy once you add content, so be careful not to overcrowd. 18. Royce - Abstract Free PowerPoint Template This template comes with a dark blue background and abstract geometric designs in various colors.  19. Science - Free Abstract PowerPoint Template This could look a little dated if not used carefully. Make sure your images and graphics stand out if you're using this one. 20. Puck - Free Abstract PowerPoint Template Download This template is fun and lively. It may be more suitable if you're presenting to a younger audience.   21. Free Abstract Modern Bubble PowerPoint Templates Here's another template you could try. The aspect ratio is 16:9.  22. Free Abstract Polygonal Space PowerPoint Template  This download includes fully editable vector graphics. This isn't very common for free templates found online. 23. Free Beautiful Wave Abstract PowerPoint Template Here is a design with a soft wave concept. The primary color used is brown. 24. Free Black Wave Lines - Abstract PowerPoint Template  This template comes with a black background, and the text and graphics are in bright colors that stand out.  25. Leaves - Free Abstract PowerPoint Template This free abstract PowerPoint template provides an abstract representation of leaves. The aspect ratio is 16:9.   Premium Abstract PowerPoint Template Walkthrough It's easy to customize these templates to fit your needs. Let's go over five easy ways that you can customize a premium template from Elements. In our example, we'll  customize this premium template: Abstract PowerPoint Template. Premium Abstract PowerPoint Template from Envato Elements Let's get started: 1. Include Animations Including simple animations in your presentation keeps your audience interested in your presentation. Animation on titles and bodies of text work especially well. To add an animation to your titles or text, simply click on the text you want animated. Click the Animation tab at the top menu header and choose your desired animation.  Here we are including animations for the title of this slide for this premium template.  2. Change Color Schemes While the template you choose to use may have the design you want, it might not have the exact colors that'll work best for your presentation. To change the colors for the theme of your presentation, click on the Design tab on the top menu header. From there you can select from other preset color schemes.  You can easily change the color scheme of this premium template by clicking on the Design menu tab. 3. Add Your Own Images When it comes to adding images the premium templates on Elements make it incredibly easy to do so. On this template slides have image placeholders. All you need to do is click on the image icon and you can to choose an image to insert from your computer.  Easily add your own images by clicking the image placeholder in this premium template. 4. Create Transitions Creating transitions between your slides is another great way to spice up your presentation. PowerPoint comes with a variety of preset transitions that you can easily add to any slide. Just click on the Transitions tab on the top menu header and choose your desired transition.  Creating transitions can help make your presentation more interesting to your audience. 5. Add Icons Many of the premium templates already contain icons on certain slides. These slides may contain the exact icons that are needed for your presentation. Click the header menu item, Insert and select the Icons option. Choose from a list of icons on the right-hand side of your screen. Add icons to any one of your PowerPoint templates from the Insert top menu. Next, let's go over five quick design tips for your next abstract presentation.  5 Quick Design Tips To Create Stylish Abstract Presentations in 2021 Want to create better presentation decks in 2021? Here are five tips that'll get you creating slides like an expert in no time.  If you're looking for an ultimate PowerPoint tutorial, check out How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide). Let's dive in and see how these tips can help: 1. Work Smart and Leave the Designing to the Experts Time is money. Avoid spending hours trying to design a presentation deck from scratch. If you're not a professional graphic designer, you could end up with a presentation that doesn't look too good.  Save yourself the hassle and invest in a premium PPT template suitable for 2021. By working smart and leaving the heavy lifting to the experts, you effortlessly improve the standard of your presentation. Not sure how to work with a pre-built PowerPoint template? Check out this tutorial: Microsoft PowerPoint How to Quickly Customize a PowerPoint Template Design Andrew Childress 2. Keep It Fun With Animations, GIFs, and YouTube Videos A presentation with only text can get a bit boring. Make your presentation more fun and engaging by adding animations. You could try GIFs, or even short YouTube videos. Add this content tastefully, when suitable.  A short video as an opener to your presentation also works wonders to lighten up the mood and break the ice. Having said that, use these animations, GIFs, and videos sparingly. Too much of them would also make it hard to focus and follow a presentation. Not sure how to include animations, GIFs, or YouTube videos in a PowerPoint presentation? Check out these tutorials:  Microsoft PowerPoint How to Quickly Add Good Animations to Your PowerPoint PPT Presentations Andrew Childress Presentations How to Insert a GIF Into PowerPoint in 60 Seconds Andrew Childress Microsoft PowerPoint How to Insert a YouTube Video into Powerpoint in 60 Seconds Andrew Childress 3. Use High-Quality Visuals Images are another vital aspect of any presentation. As soon as an image is included, it becomes the main focal point of that slide.  A bad or poor-quality image can look very unprofessional. Use high-resolution images all the time. Check to see if the images are sharp once it gets projected to a bigger screen.  This stylish design is a premium professional abstract template on Envato Elements. Once you sign up for Envato Elements you get access to over a million high-quality, royalty-free stock photos. Use them in your presentations and other marketing activities. 4. Summarize With Infographics Use infographics to visualize facts and figures. It's a great way to turn lengthy text into easy to understand graphics. A few examples of basic infographics are:  timelines flowcharts data diagrams business models maps Learn more out infographics:  Google Slides What Is an Infographic & How It Can Help Your Presentation Sharon Hurley Hall 5. Go for Contrast This premium template from Envato Elements uses contrast well. When it comes to designing, there are principles to follow to get the best results. One critical element of this principle is contrast. Contrast is used to create visual hierarchies.  Premium PPT templates are professionally designed with all design principles in mind. All you've got to do is add in your text and images. But if you do need to customize the design, check out this article. Knowing the principles of design can help. Theory The Principles of Design Laura Keung 5 Quick Design Trends to Create Stylish Abstract Presentations in 2021 Here are five design trends to help you make the best use of abstract PowerPoint templates in 2021: 1. Include Various Shapes Adding shapes to your slides will help create a more abstract design. These shapes can be anything from circles, squares, or even more irregular looking shapes. Try adding these shapes in the corners of your slides so they help enhance the design and don't crowd it.   You can see lots of shapes in the premium abstract PowerPoint template Nuevo.  2. Overlay Elements Overlaying elements on your slides is one of the best ways to create an abstract design. Overlaying images, text, and shapes can help create a three-dimensional effect that'll add more interest to your presentations.  3. Include Infographics  Infographics are a great way to add a bit of flair to your presentations. Try vibrantly colored infographics. Use infographics that highlight the main points you're trying to make in your presentation.  The premium template Abstract has plenty of colorful infographics. 4. Choose Unique Color Schemes Classic color schemes work well for presentations. But using unique combinations will give your presentation a more interesting look. One great combination to try is pink and blue. 5. Leave Space Trying to create a contemporary presentation? Then having a spacious design is a must. Be sure to include space around the various elements in your slides. The premium template Gresdie has a spacious design. Still looking for more templates for your upcoming abstract PowerPoint presentation? Check out the next section for more premium and free PowerPoint templates. Discover More Top Microsoft PowerPoint Template Designs for 2021 Didn't find the abstract PowerPoint presentation template you were looking for? Check out more of our best presentation templates for 2021 below: Microsoft PowerPoint 40+ Awesome PowerPoint Templates (With Cool PPT Presentation Designs 2021) Sean Hodge Microsoft PowerPoint 35 Cool PowerPoint Templates (Amazing PPT Slides for Presentations in 2021) Laura Spencer Microsoft PowerPoint 25 Best PowerPoint Slide Design Templates (PPT Downloads for 2021) Andrew Childress 5 Benefits of Using Premium PowerPoint Designs Still not sure if you should use premium PowerPoint templates for your upcoming presentation? Still searching for the perfect abstract PowerPoint templates? Here are five reasons that you should use a professionally designed PPT template for your next presentation in 2021: You'll have a professional presentation. Using a premium template ensures that you'll be presenting a professional design. This isn't guaranteed when you use a free template or create one on your own.  You can focus on the most important part of the presentation. Unless you're a graphic designer, you may struggle to create a professional design quickly. This will take away from the creation of the actual content that will go into the presentation.  You can generate more ideas. If you're struggling to add content to your presentation, premium slides will have tons of ideas built-in for you to explore. You're in control. Just because you're using a template doesn't mean you give up creative control. Customize any part of the presentation that you'd like even with a premium template. It's your abstract PPT to tweak. You'll stand out. Most presentations feature built-in presentation templates. It's very unlikely that your peers will be using a custom template and your professional design will shine. Easily find the perfect abstract PowerPoint background. Benefits of Envato Elements (The Power of Unlimited Use) Best-selling premium PowerPoint templates available on Envato Elements. Envato Elements offers amazing value. The low-cost monthly subscription includes thousands of premium PPT templates that are sure to impress. Sign up for Envato Elements. You'll get access to thousands of unlimited use graphics and templates. Choose from web themes to abstract presentation templates, and more—all for one low price.  Common PowerPoint Questions Answered (FAQ) There's a lot to learn about PowerPoint. Chances are you might have some questions about working with PowerPoint, giving presentations, and more. Study this collection of frequently asked questions. The answers might help with some of your questions and with some inspiration too: 1. How Do I Add a New Abstract PowerPoint Background? Let's say you're browsing abstract PowerPoint templates. You found the perfect abstract background PPT. But you want to try incorporating another abstract PowerPoint background too. Thankfully, editing and changing up abstract PPT templates is simple. Go to the Insert tab. Then, choose Picture from File to choose your abstract PowerPoint background from your computer. Once imported, right click and select Send Photo to back to layer it behind your content. Looking for more info on PowerPoint backgrounds? Check out this free walkthrough: Microsoft PowerPoint How to Quickly Edit PPT Slide Background Graphics Using PowerPoint Andrew Childress 2. What If My PowerPoint File Size Is Too Large? Can I Reduce the Size? There are many ways you can reduce your file size in your PowerPoint presentation. Some recommendations might include things like: Compressing your imagery. You can do this from the Format tab. Link to videos in your presentation. Embedded videos can increase the size of your file. Linking to them, instead, can help reduce that file size. Want to learn more about techniques like these and how you can use them in your presentation? Check out this free tutorial that'll walk you through it: Microsoft PowerPoint How to Reduce Your PowerPoint (PPT) File Size Way Down Andrew Childress 3. How Can I Come Up With Creative PowerPoint Ideas? Creative PowerPoint ideas can help bring interest to your presentation. But it can be tough to figure out where to start on that. Here are some idea to consider: Remember, an engaging presentation is more than reading from slides. Try incorporating different kinds of media, like imagery or video.  Consider things like question starters. Closed statements and facts are important, but don't necessarily push towards active discussion. Encourage your audience to ask questions or consider data, especially if your aim is to educate. Not every slide has to be identical. In fact, if every slide looks exactly the same, it might get really repetitive (or even boring). Find a balance between consistency and variety. Looking for even more ideas, including creative PowerPoint examples? Check out this article for more information: Microsoft PowerPoint How to Make Creative PowerPoint PPT Presentations (With Unique Ideas) Andrew Childress 4. What Are Some Great Ways to End a PowerPoint? A strong presentation doesn't just end abruptly. Think about that: if you were really engaged in a presentation, what would you expect or want to see? The best presentations will often end on an engaging or provoking note for several reasons: Encouraging questions can help with both interest and retention. Something exciting at the end can create buzz. Think about something like a reveal here. That could create continued excitement. Leaving room for discussion encourages and includes others in the conversation. Here are some extra ways you can close out your presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint How to Make a Great "Any Questions" Final PowerPoint Slide (PPT) Andrew Childress Microsoft PowerPoint How to End Your PowerPoint Presentation With a Strong Close (In 2020) Andrew Childress 5. How Can I Improve My Presentation Skills? Like we've discussed, a great PowerPoint presentation is more than beautifully designed slides. It's also heavily dependent on you: the presenter! If you're unsure of the best ways to present your content or what to say, here are some tips you can try: Do a practice run. There's nothing wrong with rehearsing your presentation. Try it out on your own first.  You don't have to memorize a script. Use your PowerPoint presentation as your guide. Feel free to openly discuss and expand on the topic.  Relax. Of course, this is easier said than done. This is your PowerPoint presentation. Do what you need to put yourself in a comfortable space where your skills are nurtured. If, for example, you need water, have some handy. Would you feel more comfortable with notes on hand? Then accommodate that. Set yourself up for success, not added challenges.  Here are even more tips and tricks you can use to help make your next presentation a success: Microsoft PowerPoint 60 Effective PowerPoint Presentation Tips & Tricks (To Improve Your Skills) Brad Smith Learn More About PowerPoint Presentations Want to learn even more about working with Microsoft PowerPoint? There's a wealth of free tutorials to check out today on Envato Tuts+. If you're a beginner, why not try out some of our beginner friendly content to get you started? Or, looking for fun add ons? Try a quiz or an interactive map. There's so much to see. Check out these free tutorials today: Microsoft PowerPoint How to Make a Basic Interactive Quiz in PowerPoint From a PPT Template Andrew Childress Microsoft PowerPoint How to Learn PowerPoint Quickly (Complete 2021 Beginner's Guide + Video) Andrew Childress Microsoft PowerPoint How to Make a Great PowerPoint Title Cover Slide Quickly Andrew Childress Microsoft PowerPoint How to Create Great Interactive Maps & Quickly Insert Them Into PowerPoint Presentations Andrew Childress Microsoft PowerPoint How to Work With Images in PowerPoint (Complete PPT Picture Guide) Andrew Childress Grab a Premium Abstract PowerPoint Background Template in PowerPoint Today! Take your presentations to the next level in no time by upgrading to premium presentation templates. Start by browsing through Envato Elements. You'll have a collection of premium abstract PowerPoint templates that you can download. They are all included. Prefer a pay-per-download model instead? Check out the wide range of premium abstract PowerPoint templates on GraphicRiver. Can't go premium right now because of budget constraints? We've shared some free abstract PPT templates from around the web. They come in handy in the interim before you can go premium.  Regardless of which option you decide on, a pre-built PPT templates is a must. You're able to work smart, save loads of design time, and create presentations like a professional! Take your presentations to the next step with a premium pre-built PPT template. Download one today!   Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Daniel Strongin and Daisy Ein. Daniel and Daisy are freelance instructors for Envato Tuts+.

25 Best Annual Report Template Designs (For 2021 Financial Year End) Posted: 07 Jun 2021 05:35 AM PDT When it comes to your annual report design, you'll want to present your year in the most professional way possible. A clean, well-designed annual report is a sure-fire way to do so. A professionally designed annual report template often includes all kinds of layout options too—plenty to work with an adapt!  A sleek, professional annual report template could help bring that style, class, and prestige to your work and your data. Use one for your next annual report to both impress and simplify the process! Imagine going to a professional meeting without looking your sharpest. You wouldn't do that. Why treat your annual report any differently?  The perfect, professional impression means visually communicating trust, reliability, and dependability. We want our audience, our clients, and our peers to feel this professional confidence when accessing our content. Doing so is easier than ever with an annual report template, such as the professional annual report designs you can find on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. Best Annual Report Templates on Envato Elements (With Unlimited Use) Why an annual report template? They're easy to use, typically simple to customize, and can often save you a lot of time and resources. Let's say you know what you want, you just need a little extra help. A template might not only fit the bill, but it might also be adaptable to other project needs, too! Envato Elements can be an excellent choice for your design needs. Not only can you find a wealth of annual report templates—there's graphics, backgrounds, audio, mock ups, and so much more! But wait, the best part is, you get access to thousands of assets for one, low fee.  You can find hundreds of templates, assets, annual report designs and more on Envato Elements! The annual report design templates in this article are clean, professional, and easy to customize. Need to change the colors? Want to further customize how your branding is represented? Go for it.  These annual report themes can be just the springboard you need to meet your goals, both quickly and at an awesome price. Annual report format matters too. So, think about the software environment and delivery method that best suits your needs. A good annual report has a clean, professional design, like this beautiful and versatile design, available now! It's as simple as downloading the template, opening it up in the applicable software, and making your edits! With Envato Elements, you also have the luxury of downloading many annual report templates and companion assets too. So, you can experiment, test, and combine to your heart's content. 5 Annual Report Templates From Envato Elements for 2021 Let's look at some top annual report designs from Envato Elements—they're some of the best annual report designs 2021 has to offer! Consider them for your annual report, add them to your collection of design assets for professional use, or check out these annual report design samples for visual inspiration: 1. Square Annual Report Template Layout Looking for a layout that's a little different? This annual report design is eight inches by eight inches—a stylish square.  The included infographics are all editable. The annual report layout design itself utilizes free fonts. Adding your own content is a breeze in Adobe InDesign. 2. Blue Annual Report Template Design With twenty unique pages to choose from, this annual report design offers so much to work with! Not only that, but these versatile annual report layout designs could be adapted to work for other projects too! 3. InDesign Annual Report Design This design could be a great fit if you've got some photos in mind for your annual report. It comes with a front and back cover, as well as thirty-four pages—there's so much to see and work with here! 4. Clean and Creative Annual Report Looking for something bold? This design has really playful pops of color that could make such a memorable impression! Or maybe you could adapt this to work with your signature colors! It comes in both A4 and US letter sizes, with 32 different pages. 5. Stylish Geometric Annual Report Design This template has so many possibilities. Swap out the colors and the logo with your branding and guidelines. Keep in mind that the dates here are entirely variable and up to you! Change it, adapt it, and even use it for more than one year! Envato Elements (Design Without Limits) Remember, we're talking about one, low price here for hundreds of annual report templates. Download as many as you like. There's so many annual report templates to choose from! Take a peek! When you sign up for Envato Elements, you get access to all the content your project needs—from annual report templates, to fonts, graphics, and more! There's thousands of assets, all with unlimited use, and it's all for one low price. Get Unlimited Downloads for all your template needs—and more! Think about what having thousands of beautiful, professionally designed assets and templates at your fingertips could mean for your professional ventures. Handy, right? 20 Top Annual Report Templates from GraphicRiver for 2021 (For One Time Purchase) But let's say you prefer a single purchase—as opposed to unlimited access to a large and growing library of templates and assets. Envato Elements is a great deal, but sometimes you know exactly what you want, and that's all you want. In that case, check out GraphicRiver for your next template of an annual report.  GraphicRiver has an impressive host of creative content, including annual report templates. There's hundreds of templates with good annual report designs available on GraphicRiver, as a one time, single purchase. There's a lot to see here, so I like to go through and bookmark my favorites! It's great source of inspiration as you decide on the direction for your own annual report. 15 Top Annual Report Templates from GraphicRiver for 2021 (for One Time Purchase) Let's look at some of the lovely designs available on GraphicRiver, as well as what makes a great design tick! Pick up some annual report layout design insight from these annual report design samples. Think about what's most important in your design decisions. 1. Horizontal Annual Report We kick off our list with a unique annual report layout design. This template features well-designed horizontal pages. There are 28 pages included in both A4 and US Letter size. Take advantage of the modern look to make the best annual report for your organization. 2. Yellow Annual Report Stay professional while using modern annual report layout design techniques with this annual financial report design. Each page leaves plenty of room for your content, but there are nice layout touches, too. Place your photos within the custom image masks and edit titles with modern fonts. If you've got Adobe InDesign or Affinity Designer, try out this annual report template. 3. Annual Report Brochure Template If you need a professional annual financial report design layout, try out this template. It uses a modern blue color theme to complement its design and your content. Take advantage of helpful features like: automatic page numbering well-organized layers editable colors links to free fonts   4. Annual Report InDesign Template This template of an annual report has such a fun pop of color—we get a lot of playful variation here in the annual report layout design options, as well! While we get a lot to work with, in this template, it's also great note how visual consistency is established here, too. The use of limited color helps pull this together in a unified way. 5. Annual Report Template Design Minimalist annual report design is often a great choice, but minimalism doesn't mean lacking in style. Note all the negative space (or open spaces) in this annual report design. There's a reason why this approach is so popular in annual report themes—it's because it looks great and is very versatile.  6. Professional Annual Report Template Isn't this a striking annual report cover design? It's versatile too—this one could work for financial report design and other business projects too. The best annual report design is the one that meets your goals—but imagine if it was versatile enough to work for other parts of your business needs too! 7. Annual Report Layout InDesign This template is a great example of emphasis in action. Notice how the red here really commands our attention. That's because variety stands out! We can use this premise to our advantage, as shown here! 8. Dark Annual Report Design Maybe your project would benefit from a less traditional approach—beautiful, dark pages in full color. It could certainly make an in impression!  Think about the delivery and production of your annual report—how will you distribute it? Printed? Digital? What annual report format works for your project? 9. Stylish Annual Report Template Design Remember what we discussed about color? Not only can it be used as a unifying element, but it can be used to create points of emphasis too! This template is such a great example of strong annual report layout design decisions—and there's even more layouts to choose from! 10. Annual Report Design Layout Isn't this annual report graphic design approach visually interesting? There are so many creative annual report designs out there. When it comes time to choose from all the annual report themes keep your objectives in mind. Visuals are communicative. So, you want something professional that also resonates with your project's goals. 11. Annual Report Templates Black and white, as a color scheme, can be such a classy, timeless aesthetic. Do you see any of the annual report layout design principles we mentioned in action here?  Note how orderly the content is. Shared margins and other in common visuals can help promote visual unity, like we see in this template! Minimalist annual report design can be such a strong approach. 12. Colorful Annual Report Design Layout Visual associations don't always necessarily have to rely on a square grid like we see in this playful template. Swap the colors, add your images, and this template could work in a variety of situations. It's such a fun composition—definitely one of the most creative annual report designs on this list! 13. Annual Report InDesign Template  Speaking of which, check out this design! How fun is this annual report cover design? Don't be afraid to have a little fun with your annual report layout design—it should reflect the personality of your organization! If there's room for smiles, maybe you can sneak a few in there! 14. Annual Report Templates This annual report design also uses shapes as a reoccurring and unifying theme. While it's great to have variety, keep in mind that that visual consistency can help keep things looking professional and fluid. This template is a great example! 15. Annual Report Design Template Layout Maybe you need to have a lot of content on your pages. If so, a template like this one might be perfect for you. A lot of content doesn't necessarily have to equate to a lot of clutter, either! A well-designed page balances space so we've got both content and some room to breathe, too. 16. Annual Report Layout Design Whether you're looking for creative annual report designs, financial report design layouts, or the best annual reports 2021 has to offer, versatility is often key. Remember, the best annual report is the one that communicates clearly and leaves a lasting impact—both in form and function. An annual report template, like this one, can be adapted to fit a variety of disciplines. Customize it to meet your objectives. 17. Annual Report Layout Template Perfect annual report graphic design can be tricky. But thankfully, professionally designed annual report themes, like this one, can help save time and money. Use it as a head start and customize it to your heart's content.   18. InDesign Annual Report Layout Template In the end, the perfect design for your project is going to depend on your goals and how you want your content to visually communicate. This template mixes color, photos, text, and all in a way that craft a unified theme.  19. Annual Report Template This 24-page annual report format theme is a visual feast. There are many editable infographics and charts included for your data. It also has a unique annual report cover design. If you want to make a visually interesting report, use this template.  20. Annual Report Square Brochure Template We round out our list of annual report themes with this minimal option. Its compact square shape is unique for this template category. Add photos to most pages for a great visual element. It's one of the best annual report templates for your creative or finance agency.  How to Customize an InDesign Annual Report Template So, you've found the perfect annual report design. Now what? Let's talk about how to customize your new annual report layout design. There are many annual report formats you could choose from, both from the perspective of software and final delivery. In this scenario, we'll look at Adobe InDesign—a popular choice for creative annual report designs. Use these quick tips to help you jump right in and get started today. We'll use this annual report template from Envato Elements in this demonstration. Feel free to download it and work along with this walk through. Or use a different InDesign annual report template of your choice. This annual report template and many others are available for download on Envato Elements. 1. What's an Adobe InDesign Template file? How Do I Use It? When, looking at Adobe InDesign, you'll likely come across these file types: INDD files, which is an InDesign Document file IDML files, which refers to InDesign Markup Language file INDT files, which refers to an InDesign Template file INDD files are your standard, "normal" InDesign files. When you work in InDesign and save your work, by default, you'll normally save as an INDD. If you're working in a current version of Adobe InDesign, an INDD file would work just fine. Open it up and edit the document to your liking. An IDML file would be appropriate if you're working in an older version of Adobe InDesign. Affinity Publisher can also open and use IDML files. So, think of them as a more compatible friendly file type.  INDT files are InDesign Template files—meaning you can open a new document based on this template. This is handy if you want to preserve a copy of your template, untouched.  INDD files are recommended. They're typically the primary file included when downloading an InDesign annual report template. Note that you can also Save As to create an IDML or INDT file from an INDD file. You've got options! Simply double click on your INDD file and it'll open in Adobe InDesign. Or go to File > Open, within the software, and choose the file from your computer.  2. Using and Hiding InDesign Guides When you open up your InDesign annual report layout design chances are you might see a bunch of lines all over your document. What's up with that? Well, those lines are called Guides—and they won't print in your final, completed document. Think of them exactly like their name would imply. They're visual guides, designed to help you align and adjust content in your layout.  If you find them visually distracting, go to View > Grids & Guides > Hide Guides. This doesn't delete them—it just temporarily hides them from view.  Here's a preview of what the same document looks like with the guides hidden. We still see boxes around some of our content—think of these like containers. They, too, can be hidden (go to View > Overprint Preview to check it out).  You can make your Guides visible once again by going to View > Grids & Guides > Show Guides, located in the same place. 3. Editing Text in Adobe InDesign Now, let's add some text to our annual report template. Select the Type Tool, as highlighted in the example below. Then, click on any existing text box, and begin typing, as you'd do in typical word processing software. It's that easy! If you'd like to add new text, rather than editing existing text in your template, simply click and drag with the Type Tool selected to create a new text box. Then, click to start typing. 4. Inserting Images into Adobe InDesign Documents Next, let's try adding an image to our template. In this example, the template has many blank rectangles—these are placeholder rectangular frames for our content.  With the Selection Tool active, click on any of these existing placeholders.  Then go to File > Place. Select your image on your computer, and then InDesign will insert it into the rectangular frame. Want to add an image elsewhere, without an existing placeholder? You can still go to File > Place. Click and drag to create a new rectangular frame to hold your image. Or single click and InDesign will insert your entire image. Sample stock photo by seventyfourimages on Envato Elements. 5. How to Save, Export, and Share Your Work But what about saving your annual report design? Let's talk about your options: File > Save saves your existing work. This also means it'll potentially overwrite the file you've got open (particularly if you're working with an INDD file). Be cautious of this! File > Save As allows you to save a copy of your work and/or save your work as a different file type. You can find similar options under File > Save a Copy, which will prompt you for a new file name. File > Export lets you export your work as a variety of other file types, such as EPUB and PDF, appropriate for sharing, distribution, and printing. It's important to note that your InDesign document files (such as INDD) aren't necessarily the files you'll want to share with your audience. Think of your INDD as your "behind the scenes file"—where your PDF (or other final export) is more like the polished and printed version. 5 Quick Tips for Annual Report Design in 2021 So, how do we identify, change, or create a really good annual report design? What are some of the qualities of the best report templates? Take a look at these annual report design tips. 1. Presenting the Best Annual Report Cover Design Think about the last time you went to a bookstore, or you took a look at the offerings at a magazine stand. The cover of a publication not only grabs our attention—it's our opener, but it's also our initial statement. And it's our best foot forward. Annual report designs have similar considerations. Whether working with a template or designing from scratch, make sure your annual report cover design reinforces your brand's goals and mission statement. Follow your brand guidelines. But keep these tips in mind as well for a cover that makes the right impression. They'll help you craft the best annual report cover design. Less is often more. It's often a strong idea not to overwhelm the cover with too much information, whether it's textual or visual. Think about your focal point. The focal point is the star of your show. All other elements should reinforce and support it—not compete with it. Remember your target audience. What do they need to see on the annual report cover design? What are their preconceived ideas? Keep them in mind, when making design decisions. Sometimes, less is more! Consider a sleek, clean aesthetic with this professional design template. 2. Working With an Amazing Annual Report Layout Design So, the interior of our annual report likely includes a variety of layout designs. What makes a great layout design? This is something we need to address, whether we're altering a pre-existing design or making one of our own.  First, keep mind legibility and readability.  Legibility refers to whether the words themselves are easy for the viewer to read. Choose fonts that are attractive, but without sacrificing the ability to clearly and easily read what's being said. Readability is related, but a little different. Be mindful of your sentences and paragraphs. For example, is the font large enough to read your content comfortably? Is the paragraph visually fluid, or are sentences broken up in a disjointed way? Keep your content clear and easy to read like in this annual report design. Check it out on Envato Elements! 3. Establish Hierarchy in Your Layout Design Much like the annual report cover design, keep in mind that layouts should be easy for the eyes to navigate. When in doubt, less is more. There's no need to cram a lot of information in a small space.  Consider how the eyes move through the layout. We can guide the viewer through the composition using annual report layout design principles like Scale. For example, headers and titles are often larger to command the viewer's attention first. Subtitles are often smaller as they're typically meant to come second. Notice how the large, bold "Hi!" commands our attention; annual report design available on Envato Elements! 4. Don't Let Things Get Too Repetitive  A great design is about more than working well—it also has to look great! We don't want our work to be visually boring. Interesting visuals are engaging and can further hold our viewer's interest. For example, your annual report front page design should potentially vary from other parts of the interior.  So, how do we add visual interest to our annual report design? Keep in mind that not every page has to be same.  Consider different visuals. Different pages can incorporate different layouts. The same layout, over and over, can feel repetitive. Mix it up with creative design solutions that work within your aesthetic. Check out these beautiful, varied annual report layout designs, available on Envato Elements. 5. Find a Balance Between Consistency and Variety Consistency is very important. Think of it as you'd think of your professional branding. We wouldn't change our logo's colors for the sake of visual interest—not outside of our branding guidelines. Variation should be strategic and within the objectives of your professional goals.  Find a comfortable balance between consistency and variety. Think of it like seasoning a well-cooked meal just right! Follow your brand's aesthetic guidelines in your annual report design, but keep things interesting! 5 Best Annual Report Design Trends for 2021 Want to make your annual report trendy? Or just looking for design ideas? Here are some of the best annual report design trends to try: 1. Make It Colorful Make your annual report design colorful. Make your annual report design fun by making it colorful. A colorful annual report is less boring than a plain black and white report. By adding color, you keep the reader more engaged. Color will also make your annual report stand out.  2. Minimal A minimal annual report layout design will look more impressive and professional. A minimal design is less distracting for the reader. If the design is too much or you have too much text on a page, it can overwhelm the reader.  3. Geometric Shapes Use geometric shapes in your annual report design. Geometric shapes give a sense of nostalgia to the reader. Geometric shapes give a 3D look to your design. Geometric shapes are simple but striking. They add impact to your design. So, if you want to have an impact on your reader, try adding geometric shapes to your annual report design.  4. Interesting Image on the Cover A design trend is to have an annual report cover design with an interesting image on the cover. You can use an image of from company files or a stock image from Envato Elements. The right Images on the cover can make your annual report memorable. 5. Dark Background Dark Backgrounds look minimal and luxurious. An annual report design trend is a report with a dark background. Dark backgrounds have a luxurious and minimal design. When you use a dark background, your text can stand out. But make sure that your text is a light color otherwise your report will be unreadable.   Find Even More Creative Annual Report Designs Looking for even more design inspiration? Check out these collections of professional annual report design samples. There's plenty more annual report design to check out—consider downloading one today to add to your collection of design assets: Finance 25 Best Annual Report Template Designs - With Creative InDesign Layouts (2021) Sean Hodge Annual Reports 18 Best Free Annual Report Template Downloads 2021 (Word Designs & More) Brenda Barron Annual Reports 20 Free Annual Corporate Report Templates for MS Word & Google Docs 2020 Barni Rajah Where to Find the Best Annual Report Themes (Envato Elements vs GraphicRiver) No doubt you've found some annual report design samples above that have caught your eye. But you still might be wondering whether to choose your template from Envato Elements or GraphicRiver. After all, they both offer premium annual report themes. If you need help making your choice, let's look at the unique benefits offered by Envato Elements and GraphicRiver: 1. Key Benefits of Envato Elements Envato Elements is a subscription service that offers unlimited access and downloads to its full digital asset library. That means you can download as many product mockups, music tracks, stock photos, PPT templates, and more assets without any download caps. It's an unbeatable offer. Here are some annual report design samples you can find on Envato Elements: Have a look at the premium annual report themes on Envato Elements. 2. Key Benefits of GraphicRiver GraphicRiver is part of the Envato Market suite of online asset marketplaces. Find and buy individual graphics that have professional quality. You can find the visual asset you need to complete your project without a subscription. Have a look at the individual annual report themes available on GraphicRiver: Browse the thousands of annual report design samples from GraphicRiver. 3. Which Is Right for You? Now that you know the benefits of Envato Elements and GraphicRiver, making the choice becomes a lot easier. If you need an annual report today but will need other creative assets throughout the year, choose Envato Elements. It's full of useful elements that can make finishing your projects easier. Sign up for Envato Elements now. Design without limits with an Envato Elements subscription. Do you need to wrap up a project now? If you know you won't need more than the best annual report for today, head to GraphicRiver.  Common Annual Report Questions Answered (FAQ) Is this your first time making an annual report or using a premade financial report design? If so, you probably have questions. From writing to design, I'll answer a few common questions you've got so you can make the best annual report in 2021: 1. How Do I Write My Annual Report? You need to know what type of annual report you're writing. There are four common types: corporate annual report small business annual report nonprofit annual report alternative annual report With that being said, there are a few important elements they share. Sections like the company profile, business performance overview, and financial information are all key. Learn more about annual reports from these tutorials: Communication What Is an Annual Report? (With Definition & Top 2020 Business Examples) Sharon Hurley Hall Annual Reports How to Write & Design a Great Annual Report for 2020 (+10 Quick Tips) Brenda Barron 2. What Software Do I Need? You'll find most annual report themes work with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. These are common design programs. If you only have Microsoft Word, don't worry! There are plenty of premium financial report designs that work with that program as well. 3. How Many Pages Should My Annual Report Be? Many annual financial report designs will have 20+ pages for you to use. But it's important to let your content dictate the length. If you need more pages, feel free to duplicate and rearrange layouts to suit your needs. 4. What Colors Should I Use in My Annual Report Template? I recommend using your brand's colors for your annual report. Since the information inside is purely about your organization, it's a good idea to align the look of your report to your brand. If you do choose to try other colors, use this color wheel from Adobe to find tones that complement your branding. Use the color wheel from Adobe to find color options for your annual report template. 5. Does My Annual Report Need to Be Interesting? Even though it features a lot of data and technical information, you still need to write to engage. Your annual report is a place to showcase your organization's performance over the last twelve months. Use it as an opportunity to motivate shareholders, customers, and staff. Learn how to add background images to Word documents in the tutorial below: Microsoft Word How to Quickly Add & Edit Great Background Images in Microsoft Word Alexis (Lexi) Rodrigo Learn More About Annual Report Design Your annual report is an important part of your professional work, your business, and your year. It's important to put your best foot forward. Clearly, that's easier said than done.  There's plenty to explore here. Thankfully, there are also plenty of resources out there to help you arm yourself with the knowledge to create the perfect annual report—whether you'd like the extra help of a template or you're looking to learn how to create content from scratch! Here's to your best annual report design ever in 2021! Check out these tutorials, inspirational round ups, and more! InDesign Templates How to Make an InDesign Report Template Grace Fussell Adobe InDesign 9 Top Tips for Making Creative InDesign Templates Laura Keung Brochure How to Make a Brochure Grace Fussell Dazzle Your Audience With a Professional Annual Report Template! Are you ready to create your next annual report template design? You can find plenty of the best annual report designs on Envato Elements. Or, if you only need a single template of an annual report, download it from GraphicRiver. Why not get started today? And here's hoping your next annual report is your best ever! Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Nathan Umoh and Sarah Joy. Nathan is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+. Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+.

25+ Best WordPress Magazine Themes for Blog and News Websites in 2021 Posted: 07 Jun 2021 12:07 AM PDT When it comes to magazine and news websites, WordPress is top of the bill.  Well-known news sites like The New York Times, TechCrunch, CNN, Reuters, Mozilla's Blog, and many others use WordPress as their platform of choice, highlighting just how scalable WordPress blogs can be. Online News Consumption is Rising Precise digital circulation and consumption of online magazine and news is difficult to gauge. However, according to Pew Research Center's latest Digital News Fact Sheet, a great number of adults in the United States consume news online, either via a mobile device or desktop/laptop. The average monthly unique visitors for the primary domains of these outlets in 2018 was a whopping 22.4 million. The Best WordPress Magazine Themes for 2021 Choosing the perfect WordPress theme for a magazine website or news blog may be trickier than you'd think. As a publisher you'll be looking to showcase a lot of content on a single screen, whilst at the same time wanting it to be accessible, perform well, and look attractive so as to generate user engagement. To help you out we've prepared a list of the best WordPress magazine themes on our pay-as-you-go Envato Market, Themeforest. This list is regularly updated and refreshed so dig in and see what's new! Check out the best WordPress magazine themes on Themeforest 1. Saxon—Viral Content Blog and Magazine Marketing WordPress Theme First on the list, Saxon is the best WordPress Magazine theme for you if you're looking to build a dynamic magazine site or blog. Clean, modern, and ideally suited to vibrant, colorful supporting imagery, Saxon gets any magazine or news website off to a great start.  It comes with a wide range of pre-built layouts, and take a look at the difference its light and dark variants can give your content: Saxon (light variant) 2. Zeen—Next Generation Magazine WordPress Theme Zeen is described as a "next generation" magazine theme and its recent update has seen every aspect of it built anew from the ground up. Super-stylish and very flexible, this is a superb magazine WordPress theme fit for a wide range of purposes. The screenshot shows one of the magazine layout demos which really needs to be seen in a browser to be fully appreciated; its main story sticks to the top of the page as the reader scrolls down, until the bottom of the white section catches it. Very stylish and the best news website design. Zeen – Next Generation Magazine WordPress Theme  3. Avenue—Creative Multi-Purpose WordPress Theme Technically a "multi-purpose" WordPress theme, Avenue comes with a whole host of layout and website options, however its stylish magazine blog is what's brought it to this list. Well designed, and packed with customizable features, Avenue comes with Google fonts and Typekit support, custom icons, video and parallax backgrounds, plus premium plugin integration such as Visual Composer and Revolution Slider. Avenue - Creative Multi-Purpose WordPress Theme 4. Neder—WordPress News Magazine and Blog Theme Neder touts itself as being "simple and functional", qualities which are often highly sought after in the world of WordPress themes! Used as a WordPress News theme, t's ideally suited for any kind of news websites, and comes packaged with various plugins including: Visual Composer, Fast Gallery for Visual Composer, Fast Media Gallery For Visual Composer, and Fast Carousel. Neder - WordPress News Magazine and Blog Theme 5. Bizi—A WordPress Theme for Food Bloggers A trending item on Themeforest, Bizi's rich layout is perfect for the foodies among you. Designed to make the most of high quality imagery, its clear tagging and typography make Bizi perfect for navigating and reading recipes. Perhaps most importantly, this magazine theme is built with performance in mind, serving up some very appealing speed test results. Take a look at the item page for more details. Bizi - A WordPress Theme for Food Bloggers 6. Zeen | Next Generation Magazine WordPress Theme Zeen, by Power Elite Author codetipi, has recently been updated in the form of v4. Its 30+ pre-built demo sites come in all shapes and sizes, including a great collection of magazine themes, like the one shown below. Noteworthy features include optimization for Google's core web vitals, advanced dark mode, and "voice search" capability, which allows your news articles to appear in Google Voice Search (available for "Google News Publisher" approved sites). Want to see Zeen in action? Check out these websites which put it to great use: Noise Trend Gotechtor Spagolla Mario (Surreal Digital Art Shop) The Fresh Committee Frizzi Frizzi 7. Jannah—News Magazine Newspaper BuddyPress AMP Jannah is a magazine theme which fills a wide array of niches. Whether you're looking for a fashion magazine theme, a tech magazine, a stylish newspaper, a sports magazine (like the image below), or any other kind of magazine, Jannah has a variant that'll interest you. It incorporates push notifications, AMP support, and is built with WooCommerce, BBPress, BuddyPress and other extensions in mind. No doubt, one of the best news website designs. Jannah - WordPress News Magazine Blog & BuddyPress Theme 8. Scribbler—Simple Theme for Blogs and Magazines Clean cut and contemporary, Scribbler provides a range of grid-based, modular layouts for the budding magazine editor or blogger. This is a great responsive WordPress news theme. Nine distinct homepage layouts are included, all offering something different whilst sticking to the Scribbler aesthetic. Check out the item page for details on what's in the box. Scribbler - A Simple Theme for Blogs and Magazines 9. Barcelona—Clean News and Magazine WordPress Theme Barcelona is a clean-cut magazine theme with sharp edges, bold whitespace, and high contrast (which is excellent for readers with vision impairment). It boasts "eleven different page modules with six different featured post styles"–check out the demos to see them in action. It'll inspire you to create the best news website design. Barcelona - Clean News & Magazine WordPress Theme 10. BoomBox—Viral Magazine WordPress Theme Billed as the "all-purpose viral magazine theme" BoomBox really is high-octane crammed with features for your pop cult website. Publish news stories, listicles, quizzes, then push them through the usual social sharing culprits–utilize trending, reactions, and voting systems. It's a solid WordPress news portal! Phew. BoomBox – Viral & Buzz WordPress Theme 11. Authentic—Lifestyle Blog and Magazine WordPress Theme Light and classic, Authentic is suited for lifestyle bloggers and magazines. And one particularly appealing point is their level of support (get a response to your support question within thirty minutes, during working hours). If you're after the best WordPress magazine themes, then this is definitely one to consider! Authentic - Lifestyle Blog & Magazine WordPress Theme 12. Redwood—A Responsive WordPress News Theme Redwood is a responsive WordPress news theme featuring a slider with three promo boxes at the top, perfect for showcasing different categories of your magazine. It also comes with five different blog layouts, including full width version of each layout and five different post formats suitable for video posts, gallery posts, music posts and standard posts.  It also comes with custom widgets for Facebook and Instagram. Plus, profile and social widgets. Easy customization options are included as well, which allow you to change your site's colors (and branding) with a click of a button. Redwood - Responsive WordPress Blog Theme 13. The Voux—A Comprehensive WordPress Magazine Theme The Voux touts itself as a stylish, professional magazine WordPress magazine theme that's simultaneously comprehensive and lightweight. The theme is responsive and retina-ready, meaning it looks beautiful no matter what devices your visitors use to view your content.  Some of this theme's features include striking highlighted images which help draw your readers in, infinite scroll, the ability to share your posts on social media built into the theme, and so much more. To top it all off, The Voux comes with Visual Composer which allows you to completely customize the look and feel of your pages. The Voux - Comprehensive Magazine Theme 14. NewsTube—Magazine Blog and Video Theme NewsTube is a clean and well-organized theme perfect for video oriented sites. It is fully responsive, retina ready, includes flexible theme layouts, extensive theme options, and supports videos from many popular sites including Youtube, Vimeo and Daily Motion.  With this video theme, you can submit a video from the front end, create great video channels and playlists, or import YouTube Videos and Channels to your website. Newstube - Magazine Blog & Video Theme 15. Flex Mag—Responsive WordPress News Theme Flex Mag features a mobile first design which gives your readers the option to browse through the articles sorted by featured or latest posts via secondary navigation. The theme is packed with features which include a custom Fly-Out Navigation, custom scoreboard, auto-load posts, four different preset skins, nine different Featured Posts options, eight different article templates, 700+ Google Fonts, integration with WooCommerce and bbPress, and so much more.  This theme is the perfect combination of power and simplicity in a WordPress news and magazine theme, giving you plenty of options and flexibility to customize your site without being totally overwhelming. Flex Mag - Responsive WordPress News Theme 16. Bimber—Viral Magazine WordPress Theme Bimber is the perfect WordPress magazine theme for creating a site similar to BuzzFeed. Bimber is responsive, SEO optimized, compatible with SEO plugins, optimized for Google PageSpeed and comes with support for microdata and rich snippets as well as several ad widgets.  What's more, the theme can be easily modified via WordPress customizer and comes with a child theme which allows you to safely modify the theme without worrying about losing your changes with the next theme update. On top of that, it comes with one-click installable demos to get your site up and running as quickly as possible. Bimber - Viral & Buzz WP Theme 17. Herald—News Portal and Magazine WordPress Theme Herald is a professional WordPress news theme crafted especially for news and magazine sites. It offers a high level of customization with more than 500 variations for your article listing layouts, as well as many options to suit your needs with no coding knowledge required.  Herald integrates with WooCommerce and bbPress and it even allows your readers to leave a rating on your services or products. It's optimized for speed and ensures your website will load fast. And it supports a wide variety of image sizes to make sure your images always look great. Herald - News Portal & Magazine WordPress Theme 18. GoodLife—Magazine and Newspaper WordPress Theme Goodlife comes with seven different layouts to choose from depending on what kind of site you want to create. All of the homepage layouts are responsive and include three different header styles and smart ad areas.  The theme is bundled with several different plugins such as Visual Composer, Viral Quiz Builder, Maintenance Pro, Essential Grid and Rankie, which give additional interactive features and the ability to create unique layouts. On top of that, Goodlife is SEO and speed optimized with you plenty of customization options. Goodlife - Premium WP Magazine Theme 19. Bitz—News and Publishing WordPress Theme If your website relies on publishing the most up-to-date news, look no further than Bitz. With built-in functionality for custom timing, your readers will know your website is the go-to place for the most recent news.  Pair that with a review functionality with rich snippets with a powerful front-end and back-end editor which lets you customize any aspect of your website (and see the changes as you make them) and you have a truly powerful theme on your hands. Bits also supports attractive article labels, SEO, and has WooCommerce integration. Bitz - News & Publishing WP Theme 20. Metz—A Fashioned Editorial Magazine Theme Metz is a fashion-oriented editorial magazine theme for WordPress that features an elegant and clean design with carefully selected typography that is sure to appeal to a female audience. The theme's top features include a mobile friendly, responsive design, a sleek slider that can be used in three different positions, support for WooCommerce, five different layout options, four different header views, as well as 13 custom widgets. Metz - A Fashion Editorial Magazine Theme 21. Read and Digest Theme for Magazines and Newspapers With 14 different homepage layouts, four slider types, a fully responsive design, and bold typography, Read & Digest is everything you need in a theme to create a visually appealing magazine or news website.  The included comprehensive options panel lets you easily tweak any option in an intuitive manner and allows you to give your website your own personal touch. Other notable features include integration with WooCommerce, Contact Form 7, and a child theme so you can safely change theme files at any time. Read & Digest Theme - for Magazines, Newspapers & Blogs 22. Soledad—Multi-Concept Blog Magazine WordPress Theme Soledad is a multi-concept blog and magazine theme with over 200 slider and blog layout combinations, three sidebar layout styles, five article layout styles, and six different layouts, giving you a wide range of possibilities to create a unique and stunning design.  This theme also comes with the ability to have video backgrounds as well as WooCommerce support and plenty of customization options, which are sure to please even the most demanding website owner. Soledad - Multi-Concept Blog/Magazine WP Theme 5 Free WordPress News Themes to Download in 2021 You've seen some of our best WordPress news themes to get from Themeforest, our single purchase marketplace. You won't regret buying a premium theme that's professional, really easy to customize and with the best news website design. But don't worry if you can't spend on a premium WordPress news portal template. You can still create a good website. I'll show you some cool free WordPress magazine themes. But wait! Don't forget to check our WordPress themes free on Themeforest, which change every month. Now, let's get to business! 1. Magazinews Free WordPress News Theme Magazinenews is a free WordPress news portal that helps you create a WordPress news site. This responsive WordPress news theme is speed optimized and highly customizable. The responsive layout of the theme gives your website an elegant look on all device and screen resolutions. 2. Axis Magazine Free WordPress News Theme Axis Magazine is a cool, free WordPress news portal that stands out thanks to its minimal and modern design. The responsive WordPress news theme is perfect for your personal and professional blog, magazine , online newspaper, book review, photography or any topic you'd like.  3. Focus Magazine Free WordPress News Theme This free WordPress news portal lets you write articles and blog posts quickly and easily. The responsive WordPress news theme is excellent for newspapers, magazines, publishing or other editorial websites.  4. Newsmandu Magazine Free WordPress News Theme Check this clean, modern responsive WordPress news theme focused on magazine and news portal sites. With organized and attractive layouts, it's much easier to display your content in this free WordPress news portal. 5. Stylish News Free WordPress News Theme This free WordPress news portal features a magazine and entertainment blog design. Use this responsive WordPress news theme for any project you've got in mind: a travel magazine, fashion, news, entertainment, fitness, business or any other idea! Magazine and News Sites Best Practices Creating a visually appealing magazine or news site is no easy task. Aside from making sure the theme follows the latest best practices, there are three main things you need to keep in mind when choosing a theme for a magazine website. This WordPress news portal template from Envato Elements is a great option for your site The content needs to be front and center and easy to read on all devices, including assistive technologies Content demands to be presented in a visually appealing way with striking imagery that will draw your visitors in The design should be well organized and structured, rather than feel busy and overwhelming Once you've chosen a theme that fits the above requirements and gives you the features you need, your next step is properly installing and setting up your new magazine WordPress theme. If you're new to WordPress, you can check this useful guide we've made for you: A Beginner's Guide to Using WordPress.  Additionally, if you wish to keep learning more about the best news website design practices, we've got for you this helpful resource: WordPress Themes 7 Principles of Good Website Design for Newspaper WordPress Themes Alina Silvasan Discover More Cool WordPress Themes We hope you've found our selection of WordPress magazine themes and WordPress news portal templates useful. Now, to get you more inspired in your next WordPress project, let me share with you some of my favorite WordPress themes from Envato; WordPress 30 Best Personal WordPress Blog Themes for 2021 Brenda Barron WordPress Themes 30 Best Interior Design WordPress Themes (Free & Premium) Brenda Barron WordPress Themes 25 Best Full-Screen WordPress Themes for 2021 (Free & Premium) Brenda Barron WordPress Themes 18+ Awesome WordPress Podcast Themes to Make Audio Sites Brittany Jezouit Choose the Best WordPress Magazine Theme With so many responsive WordPress news themes available, and the complexity of magazine and news sites, deciding on the best theme for your website may take some consideration.  Choose a theme that fits your branding needs, showcases your content in a style that matches your design goals, and that displays perfectly on all devices.  With Themeforest's huge WordPress news theme selection your website can be up and running in no time. -- Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Johnny Winter. Johnny is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.

How to Write in the Sand in Adobe Photoshop Posted: 07 Jun 2021 12:00 AM PDT What You'll Be Creating Did you know that you can draw in the sand in Photoshop? Layer Styles make it pretty easy, actually. In this tutorial I'll show you how to create a sand text effect in Photoshop. We're not going to use any special sand writing font, but instead we'll play with the layer style settings to keep the effect easy to replicate and modify. But if you want to save time, you can use Envato Elements instead. A subscription to Envato Elements gives you access to millions of creative assets, including this sand Photoshop action. This action will turn any text into sand typography in seconds—you just need to click "play"! Tutorial Assets The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial: GelPen font SoilSand0204 Image 3 - Medium (1600x1066) WaterFoam0018 Image 2 - Medium (1600x1164) Orange starfish isolated What You Will Learn in This Sand Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial How to create sand typography without a sand writing font How to draw in the sand in Photoshop How to create a sand texture for Photoshop Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel: 1. Load the Nature Patterns Set Open the Patterns panel, open its menu, and select Legacy Patterns and More—this will load the older patterns to the pattern library. 2. Create the Background for Your Sand Typography Step 1 Open the SoilSand0204 image, and then go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance. With the Midtones option under Tone Balance selected, change the Color Levels' values to 8, -1, and -26. Step 2 Click the Highlights option, and change its Color Levels' values to 5, -1, and -5. This will adjust the coloring of the sand texture. Step 3 Right-click the background layer and select Duplicate Layer. Step 4 Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels, and change the Gamma value to 0.80 to darken the texture a little bit. 3. Create the Text Without a Sand Font Step 1 Create the text in All Caps using the font GelPen Medium. The font Size is 350 pt, the Tracking value is 100, the color is #6c6760, and if you're creating more than one line of text, make sure to adjust the Leading value as needed. Here, it is set to 300 pt. Although it's not a special sand font, it will work great for this purpose. Step 2 Change the text layer's Blend Mode to Soft Light, and then duplicate it. 4. Style the Text Layers Step 1 Double-click the original text layer to apply an Inner Shadow effect using the following values: Uncheck the Use Global Light box Angle: -180 Distance: 20 Size: 20 This will add a simple inner shadow effect. Step 2 Double-click the copy text layer to apply the following Layer Style: Technique: Chisel Hard Direction: Down Size: 70 Check the Anti-aliased box Shadow Mode - Opacity: 100% Step 3 In the Contour settings, create your own contour this way: This will help define the inner text shape. 5. Add Sand Around the Letters Step 1 Right-click any of the text layers and choose Create Work Path. Create a new layer on top of all layers, call it 1, and pick the Brush Tool. Step 2 Open the Brush panel (Window > Brush), choose a hard round brush tip, and modify its settings as shown below: Brush Tip Shape Step 3 Shape Dynamics Step 4 Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), right-click the path, and choose Stroke Path. Choose Brush from the Tool drop-down menu, and click OK. Then hit Enter/Return to get rid of the work path. 6. Modify the Edges' Stroke Step 1 Command-click the stroke layer (layer 1)'s thumbnail to create a selection. Step 2 Go to Select > Modify > Contract, and type in 3. Step 3 Go to Select > Modify > Feather, and type in 2. Step 4 Make the stroke layer invisible by clicking the eye icon next to it, then select the Background copy layer. Step 5 Press Command-J to duplicate the selection into a new layer. It will be called Layer 1 by default. Drag Layer 1 on top of all layers. 7. Style the Modified Stroke Step 1 Double-click Layer 1 to apply the following Layer Style: Check the Anti-aliased box Highlight Mode: Soft Light Color: #ffe1ba Shadow Mode: Linear Burn Color: #d0c1ab Step 2 Use the default Contour values. Step 3 Pattern: Spiky Bush Step 4 This will style the stroke. 8. Create a Transition Area Step 1 To help blend the stroke with the sand texture more seamlessly, we're going to add a transition area that feathers out to make the effect look more natural, so create a selection based on layer 1 again. Step 2 Go to Select > Modify > Expand, and type in 7. Step 3 Go to Select > Modify > Feather, and type in 5. Step 4 Command-Shift-click a text layer's thumbnail to add it to the selection you have, so that the selection doesn't have any empty areas inside. Step 5 Select the original Background layer, and then press Command-J to duplicate the selection on a new layer. That layer will be called Layer 2. Drag it on top of both Background layers and right below the original text layer. Step 6 Double-click Layer 2 to apply a Drop Shadow effect using the values below: Blend Mode: Linear Burn Color: #e8e3dc Uncheck the Use Global Light box Angle: 139 Distance: 19 Size: 18 You can see how this is starting to blend in more nicely. 9. Create the Raised Sand's Stroke Step 1 Pick the Brush Tool and open the Brush panel again. With the hard round tip still selected, modify the settings as shown below: Brush Tip Shape Step 2 Shape Dynamics Step 3 Scattering Step 4 Right-click the text layer and choose Create Work Path, create a new layer below the original text layer and call it Stroke Shadow, pick the Direct Selection Tool, and set the Foreground color to #404040. Step 5 Stroke the path just like you did before, and don't forget to get rid of the work path afterwards. 10. Modify and Style the Raised Sand's Stroke Step 1 Command-click the Stroke Shadow layer's thumbnail to create a selection. Step 2 Select the Background copy layer, press Command-J, rename the duplicated layer to Stroke, and then drag it on top of the Stroke Shadow layer. Step 3 Right-click Layer 1, choose Copy Layer Style, and then right-click the Stroke layer, and choose Paste Layer Style to style the raised sand stroke. 11. Modify the Raised Sand's Shadow Step 1 Select the Stroke Shadow layer, and then go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Change the Angle to -30 and the Distance to 20. Step 2 Change the Stroke Shadow layer's Blend Mode to Linear Light, and then press Control-T and add 10 to both the X and Y values to move the shadow diagonally. Step 3 Command-click the text layer's thumbnail to create a selection, make sure that the Stroke Shadow layer is still the active one, and then hit Delete to get rid of the shadow's inner parts. Go to Select > Deselect when done. 12. Add the Starfish Step 1 Open the image with the starfish, press W, and click Select Subject. Copy the selected area. Step 2 Back in the original document, go to Edit > Paste, and place the starfish's layer on top of all layers. Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, and change the Saturation to -18 to tone the color vibrancy down a bit. Step 3 Double-click the starfish's layer to apply the following Layer Style: Opacity: 35% Uncheck the Use Global Light box Angle: -30 Step 4 Blend Mode: Multiply Opacity: 55% Color: #d8d2ca Size: 16 Step 5 Blend Mode: Linear Light Color: #404040 Uncheck the Use Global Light box Angle: 138 Noise: 20 This will add a simple shadow to the starfish. Step 7 Now use the same method as before to add sand around the starfish. To create a Work Path from an image, Control-click its thumbnail, and then go to the Paths tab and click Make Work Path from Selection. Then stroke the selection on a new layer under the starfish, and turn it into a selection to duplicate a part of the background copy layer. Paste the Layer Style to it, and add a motion blur to the shadow. Step 8 If you want to make the sand effect subtler, group both of these new layers and add a Layer Mask to it. Paint on the layer mask with black using a soft brush to remove some of the sand. 13. Adjust the Colors Step 1 Click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon down the Layers panel and choose Curves. Step 2 Adjust the curves as shown below. You can also click the little hand with arrows icon then click and drag in the image to modify the brightness as you like. Step 3 Click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon again and choose Solid Color. Step 4 Use the color #b1a99c, change the layer's Blend Mode to Color Burn and its Opacity to 20%. 14. Apply the Lighting Filter Step 1 Press Control-Alt-Shift-E to create a merged layer on top. Change its name to Final Step 2 Go to Filter > Render > Lighting, choose the Spot light, then move and scale it around as you like. Step 3 Change the rest of the settings as shown below. The colors used in RGB are: Color: 246, 242, 234 Colorize: 247, 240, 223 15. Add the Foam Step 1 Place the WaterFoam0018 image on top of all layers and change its Blend Mode to Screen, then go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (if your layer is a Smart Object, right-click it and select Rasterize Layer first). Move the foam downwards as needed, then, you can pick the Eraser Tool (E) with a soft round tip, and remove any parts you don't like. Step 2 Create a new layer below the foam layer and call it Water. Pick the Lasso Selection Tool then draw a selection following the foam's edges, leaving some distance away from it. Fill that selection with the color #b2b3ad. Step 3 Go to Select > Deselect. Change the Water layer's Blend Mode to Multiply and its Opacity to 20%. Step 4 Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, and change the Radius to 5. Step 5 Duplicate the Water layer, then change the copy's Opacity to 15. Drag the copy down some more to create a darker layer in between the Water layer and the foam layer. Step 6 The brush tip will give you a different result each time you use it. So you can always try it a couple of times until you get a result you like if needed. Congratulations! You're Done Now you know how to write in the sand in Photoshop! In this tutorial, we modified a sand texture background, and then we created and styled the text to add an inner shadow and some depth. Then, we modified a couple of brushes to create stroke layers to achieve the outer sand and raised sand parts, as well as a simple transition stroke to help blend the text with the sand nicely. We styled all the layers and modified them to create a sand-like appearance and add the shadows. We then added a simple starfish to the scene using the same techniques to blend it in, and we used a couple of adjustment layers to enhance the coloring and the brightness of the final outcome. Then we added foam, and finally we merged the rest of the layers to apply a lighting filter to get the final result. Photoshop Text Effect Actions You can create a variety of text effects in Photoshop, but it requires time and skill. With Envato Elements, you can achieve the same effects faster and with guaranteed results! Sand Text Effect Photoshop Action (PSD, ATN, ABR, PAT, PDF) This action will help you achieve the same result as in this tutorial, without spending any time following all the steps. Just type your text and click play! 11 Engraved Text Styles (ASL, PSD) If you're interested in engraved text styles, this pack contains 11 different styles, including wood and metal engraving. You can apply the effect either as a layer style preset or by editing the smart object. Retro 3D Text Effect Action PSD (PSD) The vintage style is very trendy! This easy-to-edit smart object will turn your text into beautiful 3D letters with a nice shadow and background. CyberPunk Text Effect (PSD) If you like the aesthetic of cyberpunk, this text effect will help you recreate the style of the logo of the most popular game in the genre. As always, you just have to replace the text in the smart object with your own! Secret Text Effect (PSD) If you want your text to look secretive, and yet clean and professional, this text effect will help you achieve your goal. It looks simple, but it's extremely effective in its message! More Text Effect Tutorials If you enjoyed this tutorial, you can also give these a try: Text Effects How to Create a Realistic Chrome Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop Rose Text Effects How to Create a Fabulous Mirror-Ball-Inspired Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop Rose Text Effects How to Create a Layered Floral Typography Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop Rose Text Effects How to Create a Glass Text Effect in Photoshop Using Layer Styles Jan Stverak Text Effects How to Create a Quick Sparkling Diamonds Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop Rose

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